Three Stars Aligned; ENTITY BLESSING THREAD (SORA)

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You In this place, it was easy to sense the light and darkness moving. It was nearly empty, save the small incomplete creatures that still wandered this metropolis facade. Above all that existed, he watched. It was what he had always done. To watch over the darkened sky that twinkled with the smallest lights that did not bother to cast enough of a glow as to show truth through to human eyes, for this was how Mother wanted it; so then, shall it be. In the mystical hour of darkness and stars, Munashii could hear the soft trembling of a heart that was searching the darkness for something that could not be found in the light. The idea that this mortal was seeking such a thing in this place made sense to the long lived entity; where better to seek answers shrouded in darkness than a world with neither moon or stars or sun to light its empty sky? Empty, just like the world itself. Observing the mortal a bit longer, the entity began to feel his mind stir. The soul of this mortal was the one his Mother had asked him to speak to in her stead. Though the Entity did not converse with mortals, sharing a similar opinion of them as his mother, he could not refuse her request to approach the mortal and seek out an agreement that would secure his trust. And so, Munashii slipped out of the sky, changing his shape to one a human could comprehend, and stood quietly on one of the many platforms of the abandoned castle, looking out over the city, his secret eyes ever watching for the pure hearted soul that his mother seemed so interested in. This was not the first time he'd witnessed this same soul travelling across the familiar depths of space and time. However, it seemed that the closer the boy got, the more fascinated Munashii became. It was very uncommon for one star to have three glows inside of it... especially when that star was a simple mortal of no strength or uniqueness of its own.

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

Roxas wasn't here.

Oh, Sora knew he could not physically be here. He knew exactly where the nobody actually was, and why he couldn't meet him face to face. At least not right now. But that did not mean Sora could not at least try.

Both times the keybearer of Light finally met him was here in this World that Never Was. The first time searching for Kairi, the second during the test-turned-trap. Though the boy could not remember what had actually occurred during that time, he knew he had seen him in there somewhere. Would being here trigger another vision? Another dream? After spending the whole 'day' in Twilight Town, haunting all the usual places and eating sea-salt in that lonely spot ont he clock tower, would Roxas have stirred enough to awaken in this World the Never Was?

So far, no such luck.

Sora craned his neck, peering up at the skyscraper, scratching the thick clouds like it's namesake. It was familiar, but of course it was familiar. He had seen this building before in his quest, multiple times in fact. But as he stood in the empty square, there was no trigger, no reaction, no dream. It was eerie, being this quiet. No Nobodies, not even Heartless were popping up to bother him. It was surreal but Sora was too preoccupied to think on it, to question it with the suspicion he should have felt. Scanning his surroundings almost hopefully, he had to admit he was not finding what he was looking for.

Maybe he's at the castle.

So Sora loped off, diving headfirst, and following the aches of his heart into the cold reaches of the dark nothingness once more.

The Castle was still standing strong, floating above the questionable expanse below the cliff face. Against the backdrop of the skyscrapers in the distance, the mammoth structure rotated slowly, the red powered engines lighting the bottom, and making the moon white stone practically glowing against the darkness. Holding out a hand, Sora summoned his keyblade, and pointed it to the far entrance, willing it to make the connection he needed to create his path.

But as he held the blade aloft, the teen blinked, before squinting. Was it just him, or was there someone standing at the edge of the platform...?

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You He approached. Munashii watched him silently, dark hair framing his face and hollow eyes as he watched the young man curiously. This might seem unnerving to any mortal, but it was Munashii's nature. He was the quiet watcher, with wide, vacant eyes that saw everything but was unseen. This was the nature of the darkened sky. He slowly raised a hand, almost in greeting, but it almost seemed as if he were saying, "Don't be alarmed." The slow spread of his fingers didn't raise very high before resting back at his side. He remained, neither advancing nor retreating from his place on the platform, awaiting the child with wide eyes that were full of memories, almost overflowing with their oceanic blue. He looked into those eyes and could see the quivering lights within the mortal. The beautiful stars that were Munashii's only companions aside from his respected and dear mother. "You come here seeking resolution; an answer to a question many would never ask. The stars within you seem to be guiding you to an answer, as the stars guide all the heavens to their destiny." He simply stood there, unnervingly still, eyes unblinking as he observed the young man. "... It is something most mortals would let go by the wayside, that kind of purity. What do you believe you will find at the end of this road?"

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

The light at the end of the keyblade shone to an almost blinding proportion, until the white beam shot toward the grand entrance of the castle. Keeping an eye on the stranger in the castle, Sora ran. Weapon out, on guard, the keybearer of light had no idea who this was, but in his mind, anyone associated with this castle could not be good news. Probably trouble, more than anything. He did not lower his keyblade, not yet, but he skid across the smooth surface to a stop some ways before him. Searching the man for some physical clue to his identity, when they made eye contact, the young boy couldn't help the knot of unease and unconscious anger in his stomach. It was like the dark eyes were looking right through him.

Actually, it was akin to the way the members of the Organization once looked at him. Straight through him to Roxas.

Kicking and foot back to prepare a battle stance, he held back at the placating gesture from the stranger. He held still, but his suspicion was clear as he leered warily at him. But his suspicion was slowly churning in his mind, and the surprise brightened his eyes clearly at the man's words. How did he know? His mind did not connect "stars" with "hearts", so at first did not fully grasp the man's statements. But the idea of "destiny" definitely struck a cord with him. "Destiny"? Ha. He'd been fighting it ever since he had gotten this keyblade. He made his own destiny, proving himself, and he didn't care what anyone else tried to tell him about it.

"I came here looking for someone." Crouching and grabbing a hold of his weapon in both hands, the keybearer of light settled into a battle stance. "And if you get in my way, I won't be afraid to take you down. Just who are you, anyway?"

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You At the mortal's response, Munashii simply watched. He could see that it was the truth because the stars within him didn't flutter in rage or upset at a lie, and deceit was something brilliant stars did not abide with. The boy's question was met with silence at first, as the Entity decided which of the many names to give. It was difficult to determine. He knew who he was, but a name for himself... he had many. "I suppose you would all me... Munashii. I am the keeper of the night sky. Although, perhaps it would be more accurate to say I am the night sky." The immortal man looked up at the sky then, drawing attention to the lack of stars and the deep night around them. "... In this night sky without stars or moon... I can clear my mind and think on what I desire... and in this empty world... it is easy to focus without ... distractions." Slowly his eyes drifted back to the teen. "... I do not believe you have formally met me before, so I assume it is customary to introduce yourself, Sora." Without realizing it, Munashii allowed his gaze to slide back up to the empty night sky that only clouds bothered to grace. '...She wouldn't come here... not even to see me... She doesn't like the silence and emptiness... Cruel Irony... Perhaps that's best...' Returning his eyes back to the young adult before him, Munashii observed how strangely relaxed the stranger seemed to be, as if he had met people just like the entity before. The thought caused a small smile to twitch at the corner of Munashii's mouth. That would be interesting.

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

The stranger's silence aggravated Sora's impatience, the boy staying in his battle stance. Was he going to answer? Play mind games? Though his suspicion turned and changed, the pinch in his brow and curious spark in his wide eyes showing his confusion. Munashii, huh? Keeper of the night sky. Stars and moon, sky, night, black- wait... the night sky? What, like a god?

Following the stranger's gaze upward, the boy noticed the emptiness only when it was pointed out. Though it hardly surprised him. this was a world that was right between both Light and Darkness. Stars couldn't reach here, the same way normal people couldn't. Yet he just.. came here to clear his mind? Keeper of the night sky... no, wait, it couldn't be... why would one even be here?

Bringing his eyes back to the stranger in front of him, Sora finally had to break his stance when he was finally addressed. The keybearer faltered, mouth gape in surprise as he blinked. So this guy knew who he was, and that he was on a mission here. But he hadn't told anyone where he was going or what he was doing. Not even Riku or Kairi.

...Maybe there was some substance to what this man was saying. He wasn't sure if this guy was really a "god" or just some creepy crazy stalker (like that was anything new for him), but this guy- Munashii- had to have some reason for coming out either way.

"...okay, let's say I believe that you're a "god of the night sky" or whatever." He finally said. Straightening to stand tall, he let go with his left hand to free it, and gestured to the man still standing on the platform. "I mean, obviously you've been watching me, and you know who I am. Just what are you doing here, anyway? What do you want with me?"

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You Munashii felt a strange amusement bubble up inside of him. What was he doing here? He had been here long before the young boy... "I am the night sky; I've always been here." His eyes locked with Sora's again as he turned to the young man to address his next question. He crossed his arms slowly, but it didn't seem to be a very angry or defensive gesture; only a thoughtful one. He seemed to once again be regarding Sora and considering something. His mother's desires must be sated. Somehow, Munashii had to convince this young man to agree. "Truthfully, I am curious. You see, I might be able to help you. Not I myself, but through my connections. In exchange, would you be willing to help me? You see, I have a small dilemma..." Munashii's head tilted slowly to the side, one hand coming up to barely brush his chin as he let his lids lower over his deep empty eyes. "... Normally I do not associate with humans. My nature is to quietly watch over the stars and universes without interference. However, I know that soon there will be a great separation between light and darkness. If that happens, things will never be the same for any of us. You walk in the light as a mortal and you have three stars within you rather than only one. I know there is... something different about you." He paused for a moment before continuing, gathering his thoughts for how to phrase this next part. "In a land far from this place, in only a matter of hours, there will be an onslaught unlike any the universe has ever seen before. Strange, powerful creatures will all converge on one world and attempt to snuff it out, permanently corrupting it into a dark and hollow form like this world." Munashii waited for his words to sink in before continuing. "...I want you to go there and defeat these creatures. You would have to move quickly. Things are already in motion that cannot be undone. My... friend... does not want this world to fall into death. At least, not until it has lived its fullest." Munashii allowed his eyes to slide completely closed for a moment. Never before had he had to do something so humble as to ask for help... and a mortal, no less... "... If you could go there... and interfere in my stead... so that I did not upset the balance... I would be willing to set you on the path you seek and offer my powers to your cause." He opened his eyes and looked at Sora with a stony, solemn expression. "Would you consider it?"

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

Curious? Sora wasn't sure he had ever heard that as a reason before. He still kept a slightly skeptical ear on him though. Exactly how did he plan to help him? Unconsciously, Sora shifted his weight, leaning to one side as he listened to Munashii's explanation. Cocking his head and making his spikes sway, his wide eyes partially squinted as he regarded the man thoughtfully. His suspicion drained away instantly, something akin to worry gripping him.

A separation of Light and Darkness. Could this man have been talking about the battle? The one that he had nearly been yanked into, the one Kairi and Lea were now training for? No longer holding the man in contempt, he blinked, his worry and uncertainty making the almost startling blue of his eyes even brighter, instantly bearing his soul to anyone who looked into them. Including his clear confusion at the mention of "stars". Three stars instead of one? What did that-

It hit him like a bag of bricks, the moment he mentioned "within". His free hand went to his chest in remembrance. Sora knew of Roxas laying trapped inside of him. He had a hunch, an inkling, of a second presence, one he associated with the keyblade. He never imagined there could be three presences lying in sleep inside of him. Hence, though Munashii's statement might have helped clarify his offer of "help", it still made no sense to Sora. At least, initially. Was he saying then, that he was interested in Sora because he had hearts resting inside of him?

"...Strange, powerful creatures will all converge on one world and attempt to snuff it out, permanently corrupting it into a dark and hollow form like this world."

"What?" Sora exclaimed, jumping instantly to attention. "Why? Are they like Heartless? Nobodies? Who's responsible?"

It could have been Maleficent, or Xemnas, or Ansem- no, wait, Xehanort or anyone else up to no good. Already forgetting his earlier confusion with Munashii's cryptic statements, the grip on his keyblade tightened, going rigid as he grit his teeth and glowered, the mere thought of another world in danger getting his heart pumping and blood boiling again. The hand on his heart swept across impatiently, metaphorically brushing aside Munashii's offer.

"I don't care about special powers or anything like that. I doubt you could help me find what I'm looking for anyway. But I'll fight no matter what. Where is this happening? Tell me where to go."

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You The young man seemed easily cued up by the mention of the destruction of a world. Munashii felt his own core tremble. Such ... sincere empathy... She would love this boy... she probably did love him... '...wretch...' Clearing his throat to clear his mind, Munashii looked at the boy with his wide vacant eyes and nodded softly. "While I respect your... altruism... you don't seem to understand how this works for us. When an Entity asks a favor... a gift must be offered in exchange... or the Entity will be indebted to a mortal... and... I would rather... not... if you please." Watching the boy's hand over his chest, the immortal's eyes flashed a recognition. What did mortals call their stars...? Oh yes... hearts. That was what they called those brightly burning lights within them. "The stars... the... hearts... within you. You wish to meet them. I am not so powerful as to be able to do that on my own... but my friend. She can do that for you." Munashii began to feel a gentle tension in his being, as if she were watching. "... I promise you... if you help me to save this world... I will help you to meet these other hearts within you." He held out his hand as if to shake on it. "Please... it is a part of my honor."

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

An "entity". Is that what Munashii called himself? Alright, Sora could work with that. It was less of a mouthful than "God of the Night Sky" or whatever he had called himself before. Close enough, right? Either way, Sora didn't really want a gift. It wasn't like he was one to ask for favors anyway. He had saved an entire world, and when the Emperor offered him a gift, he just asked for knowledge of Riku. His friends meant more to him than any powers or value or-

No. No way. Sora stopped. His heart fluttered, blinking, stunned, and frozen at the offer. Wait, his friend could really...? "Can she do that? Really?"

He could not stop the hopeful sparkle in his eyes, or the joyous smile threatening to split his face in two. Because Sora knew that "meeting" had to mean that the hearts within him would be freed once more. All his questions and confusions cleared, all suspicion, caution, wariness thrown to the wind. Switching the keyblade in his hand, Sora all but jumped up to Munashii, and grabbed his way, his answer, his path in the form of an Entity's hand, pumping it once in a firm shake. "You've got yourself a deal!"

[Entity NPC]

Light Cannot Touch Me Neither Can It Help You As the boy wrapped his fingers around Munashii's hand, he would feel a slight tingling crawl up his arm and a mark would appear on his hand, glowing even through the glove. "...Agreed." He let his hand hold onto Sora's a bit longer. Sora would notice how incredibly strong Munashii's grip was, but that his muscles were tensed as if he were afraid to break Sora by squeezing his hand too hard. Slowly he removed his hand from the teen's and turned to face the sky. "...It is about to start. You will have a very limited amount of time. ... The world is known as Neverland... and soon it will be a place of darkness and decay." Munashii looked directly at Sora. "The creatures you will be seeking will not be visible at first... they prefer to hide in shadows. They will strike when the sun goes down. Unlike the incomplete creatures, these creatures have never been whole. They were created only out of darkness and have no light within them. They will only obey orders from their creator. Commonly, they are called Furies. They will rip the world apart until they find what they're looking for. I'm not certain what they're after, but Furies hunt in packs, so be prepared." The dark haired man let his eyes follow the boy for a moment, his mind turning over what he was doing in laying this on a mortal's shoulders. "... Good luck."

(This thread is CLOSED and meant to test/introduce Sora alone to Munashii.)

[Sora]

Sora had to suppress the shudder. His smile faltered slightly, more in surprise than alarm. The Entity's eyes remained vacant, impassive, and Sora tore his eyes away to look at his hand, feeling the odd buzzing sensation in his hand. He could feel the iron strength in the unbreakable grip, when he tried to turn his hand to figure out where the strange light was coming from. When it was finally released, Sora pulled his hand up to eye-level, gazing at the black moon. Was this... a sigil? Something to help Munashii track him? The light faded, leaving his glove mark-free, and he dropped his hand, deciding to worry about it later.

Neverland? At least it was a place he knew. He could get there no problem. Okay, so these weren't Heartless or Nobodies, or even Nightmares. "Furies" were easy enough to remember. He'd take them down and wipe them out before they could take the world down with them, Sora would be sure of that. At the final statement, Sora gave a smile. A simple one that showed his clear gratitude, and gave a half-salute in farewell. "Thanks. don't worry. Those Furies are as good as gone."

And with that, he jumped. Leaping again to spin to even higher heights, the teen swiftly turned and soared, putting on a burst of speed to whistle through the air. Sure he had a few more questions about what exactly these "Furies" were, and what they were after. Heck, it would have been nice to at least know what they looked like. But Sora had been given a mission. One that set his goal so clearly in site. So as he flew over the bridge to reach the edge, and get to the portal that would lead him back to the outside world, he felt freer than he had in a long while.

Roxas... and whoever else is in there, hang in there for just a little longer. You're almost free. I promise.